Outboard motor steering arrangement

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is an outboard motor having releasable means engageable between a king pin and a swivel bracket for preventing relative pivotal movement between the king pin and the swivel bracket. In one embodiment, the releasable means includes a wrap spring. In another embodiment, the releasable means includes a series of rollers movable relative to a locking position wherein said rollers engage both the swivel bracket and the king pin to prevent relative movement therebetween. Also disclosed herein are means for releasing the means preventing relative pivotal movement between the swivel bracket and the king pin including a shaft which is pivotally carried by the king pin co-axially therewith and has means for releasing the locked condition of the king pin and the swivel bracket. Also disclosed herein are means connecting the releasing means to the king pin to effect steering movement of the outboard motor after release of the releasable means in response to the application of a steering force to the releasing means.

United States Patent 11 1 Shimanckas 1111 3,774,571 Nov. 27, 1973 OUTBOARD MOTOR STEERING I ARRANGEMENT [75] Inventor: William J. Shimanckas, Waukegan,

[73] Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation,

Waukegan, Ill.

[22] Filed: Mar. 18,1971

21 I Appl. No.: 125,763

Shimankas 1 15/18 R Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant ExaminerStuart M. Goldstein Attorney-Robert E. Clemency, John W. Michael, Gerrit D. Foster, Bayard H. Michael, Paul R. Puemer, Joseph A. Gemignani and Andrew 0. Riteris 57 ABSTRACT Disclosed herein is an outboard motor having releasable means engageable between a king pin and a swivel bracket for preventing relative pivotal movement between the king pin and the swivel bracket. in one embodiment, the releasable means includes a wrap spring. in another embodiment, the releasable means includes a series of rollers movable relative to a locking position wherein said rollers engage both the swivel bracket and the king pin to prevent relative movement therebetween. Also disclosed herein are means for releasing the means preventing relative pivotal movement between the swivel bracket and the king pin including a shaft which is pivotally carried by the king pin'co-axially therewith and has means for releasing the locked condition of the king pin and the swivel bracket. Also disclosed herein are means connecting the releasing means to the king pin to effect steering movement of the outboard motor after releaseof the releasable means in response to the application of a steering force to the releasing means.

16 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures .lll

ski-5111a: H W

sum 18F 2 INVENTOR /Ifi'am Jimmckas PMENIEU NOV 2 7 I973 OUTBOARD MOTOR STEERING ARRANGEMENT RELATED APPLICATIONS The application relates generally to the subject matter of my earlier applications Ser. No. 55,780 filed July 17, 1970, entitled No Back Steering for an Outboard Motor, Ser. No. 825,716 entitled No Back Steering filed May 19, 1969, and Ser. No. 825,834 entitled Swivel Bracket Lock No Back Steering filed May 19, 1969.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION movements or backlash in response to forces originat ing in the propulsion unit.

My earlier US. Pat. No. 3,310,021 discloses one arrangement for locking a propulsion unit against unwanted steering movements. My earlier aboveidentified application Ser. No. 55,780 discloses one of the embodiments disclosed herein. My earlier aboveidentified applications Ser. No. 825,716 and Ser. No.

825,834 also disclose arrangements for preventing unwanted steering movements caused by forces originating with the steerable propulsion unit. Another arrangement for preventing unwanted steering movements by forces originating in the propulsion unit is disclosed in the Irgens et al application Ser. No. 805,049 filed Mar. 6, 1969 and entitled Steering Mechanism for a Marine Propulsion Unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides an arrangement including releasable locking means engaged between the king pin and the swivel bracket of a marine propulsion device for preventing relative pivotal movement between the king pin and the swivel bracket, together with means for releasing the releasable means, and means connecting the releasing means to the king pin to effect propulsion unit steering movement after release of the releasable means in response to theapplication of a steering force to the releasing means.

In accordance with one embodiment of the. invention, the releasable locking means comprises a wrap spring which is normally clanipingly engaged against an inner segmented cylindrical surface formed integrally with, or on parts fixedly attached to, the king pin and the swivel bracket.

Also in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the means for releasing the releasable locking means includes the provision of a shaft located in a bore in the king pin for co-axial pivotal movement relative to the king pin and including means extending through openings in the king pin to engage the ends of the wrap spring to retract the wrap spring from clamping engagement with the swivel bracket in response to pivotal movement of the shaft contained in the bore of the king pin.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention the releasable locking means comprises a roller-type clutch including a cylindrical surface on one of the swivel bracket and king pin, together with a series of flats on the other of the king pin and swivel bracket, and a series of rollers adapted to be releasably located or positioned in the wedge-shaped spaces at the ends of the flats and to be lockingly engaged between the king pin and the swivel bracket to prevent relative rotation therebetween. In addition, the releasable locking means includes means for yieldably urging the rollers into their locking positions in the wedge-shaped spaces at the ends of the flats.

Also in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the means for releasing the releasable looking means includes the provision of a shaft located in a bore of the king pin for co-axial pivotal movement relative to theking pin and including means extending through openings in the king pin to engage the rollers for selectively displacing the rollers from their positions of locking engagement between the king pin and swivel bracket.

Pivotal movement of the releasing shaft within the king pin is afforded in response to pivotal movement of a releasing bracket which, in one embodiment, is pivotally mounted co-axially with the king pin axis and in another embodiment is pivotally connected to a steering arm which extends from the king pin or other part of the dirigible unit in underlying relation to the releasing bracket. I

In one embodiment in accordance with the invention, the means for effecting propulsion unit steering movement after release of the releasable locking means in response to the application of a steering force to the releasing means includes a pair of spaced ears or tabs on one of the steering arm and the releasing bracket and a projection extending from the other of the steering arm and the releasing bracket and into the space between the tabs in the pathof pivotal movement of the ears, whereby there is afforded an initial range of lost relative angular movement between the steering arm and the releasing bracket,'followed by interfering engagement of the projection with one of the ears to provide common pivotal movement of the steering arm with the releasing bracket.

In another embodiment of the invention, the means for effecting propulsion unit steering movement after release of the releasable locking means in response to the application of a steering force to the releasing means'includes projection of a part of the releasing shaft into a transversely'elongated slot in the releasing bracket, whereby there is afforded an initial range of lost relative angular movement between the releasing bracket and the dirigible unit followed by engagement of the end portion of the releasing shaft with the releas ing bracket so as to thereafter provide common pivotal movement of the releasing bracket with the steering arm and therefor with the king pin.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of a new and improved arrangement for preventing steering movements of 'a marine propulsion unit in response to forces originating in the marine propulsion unit.

Another of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of an economical and compact arrangement for releasably locking a propulstion unit against steering movement upon at the same time, affording release of said lock up the application of a steering force by the operator.

Still another principal object of the invention is the provision of a wrap spring or roller clutch arrangement which is releasably engageable between a king pin and a swivel bracket to releasably prevent pivotal movement therebetween.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a steering arrangement which prevents self-induced propulsion unit steering movement, and which is economical to manufacture, and which will provide reliable service over a long and useful life.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outboard motor embodying various of the features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially schematic perspective view, partially broken away and in section, of a portion of the outboard motor shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a part of the portion shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of another outboard motor embodying various of the features of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view taken generally along line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modification of the construction shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken generally along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Shown in the drawings is an outboard motor 11 which is generally of conventional construction except for the incorporation therein, in accordance with the invention, of a steering arrangement for preventing steering action induced by the propulsion unit while permitting steering action in response to operation of a user, either locally or from a remote steering apparatus.

More specifically, the outboard motor 11 shown in FIG. 1 conventionally includes a transom clamp or bracket 13 which is adapted to be connected to the transom of a boat. Connected to the transom bracket 13 about a horizontal axis is a swivel bracket 17 which is accordingly vertically pivotable. The swivel bracket 17 includes a bore 19 which extends perpendicularly to the horizontal axis and supports a pair of spaced bear ings 21 and 23 which receive a king pin 27 forming a part of a dirigible unit which also includes a propulsion unit 33 (See FIG. 1) comprising a powerhead 37 and a lower-unit 39. More particularly, the king pin 27- is conventionally connected, adjacent its upper and lower ends by suitable upper and lower brackets 29 and 31 to the propulsion unit 33. The powerhead 37 includes an engine (not shown) and associated components and the lower unit 39 includes a drive shaft housing 41 which supports the powerhead 37 and has, at the lower end thereof, a gear box 43 carrying a reversing transmission (not shown) and a propeller 47'. Vibration isolating mounts (not shown) can be conventionally interposed between the king pin 27 and the propulsion unit 33. At

its upper end, the king pin 27 includes a more or less conventional steering arm 49 which, when pivotally moved to port or starboard, causes pivotal movement of the king pin 27 and connected propulsion unit 33 relative to the swivel bracket 17. As thus far described, the construction is entirely conventional.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided releasable locking means engaged between the king pin 27 and the swivel bracket 17 for locking the swivel bracket and king pin relative to each other to thereby prevent relative pivotal movement between the king pin 27 and the swivel bracket 17 and, thus prevent selfinduced steering operation by the propulsion unit 33. Also in accordance with the invention, there is provided means for releasing the releasable locking means, thereby to afford steering action directly by the operator or by a remote steering arrangement (not shown), together with means connecting the releasing means to the king pin 27 to effect propulsion unit steering movement after release of the releasable locking means in response to the application of a steering force initiated by the user to the releasing means.

More particularly in accordance with the invention, while variousarrangements can be employed, in the construction shown in FIGS. 2 and'3, the means for preventing relative pivotal movement between the king pin 27 and the swivel bracket 17, comprises formation of the king pin 27 and swivel bracket 17 to provide a segmented, continuous cylindrical surface means, together with a wrap spring 57 which is formed and assembled relative to the cylindrical surface means so as to be normally biased into engagement with the segments of the cylindrical surface means, thereby locking the swivel bracket 17 and king pin 27 against relative pivotal movement.

While various other constructions could be employed, in the disclosed construction, the cylindrical surface means includes a centrally located sleeve 59 which is suitably fixed, as by a set screw 61 or otherwise, within the bore 19 of the swivel bracket 17. The sleeve 59 has an inner cylindrical surface 63 forming one segment of the cylindricalsurface means.

Located above and below the sleeve 59 are respective upper and lower cup-shaped cylindrical members 67 and 69 which are respectively open at the ends adjacent to the sleeve 59, which have respective inner cylindrical surfaces 71 and 73 extending continuously from the sleeve inner surface 63, and constituting segments of the cylindrial surface means, and which have, respective, centrally apertured ends or webs 77 and 79 receiving the main part of the king pin 27. The cupshaped cylindrical members 67 and 69 are suitably rigidly connected to the king pin 27 as by respective set screws 81 and 83 or other suitable means.

In order to permit radially inward movement of the wrap spring 57 away from engagement with the cylindrical surfaces 63, 71, and 73, the radial distance between the cylindrical surface means and the outer surface 87 (SeeFIG. 3) of the king pin 27 is in excess of the radial depth of the coils of the wrap spring 57.

The wrap spring 57 is located between the outer surface 87 of the king pin 27 and the cylindrical wall means and is biased so that the coils thereof are normally in gripping engagement with each of the cylindrical surfaces 63, 71 and 73. At its ends, the wrap spring 57 includes oppositely bent, respective upper and lower hook portions 89 and 91 which constitute part of the means for releasing the wrap spring 57 from engagement with the swivel bracket sleeve 59 and the king pin cup members 67 and 69 so as to afford pivotal movement of the king pin 27 and accompanying propulsion unit 33 relative to the swivel bracket 17.

Various means can be employed for releasing the releasable means to permit pivotal movement between the swivel bracket 17 and the king pin 27. In the disclosed construction, such means includes formation of the king pin 27 with a central bore 97 co-axial with the pivotal axis of the king pin 27 and with upper and lower radial openings 99 and 101 which are located in the wall of the king pin 27, which communicate with the bore 97, and which are spaced axially at a distance corresponding to the axial spacing between the hooked end portions 89 and 91 of the wrap spring 57.

The releasing means also includes a releasing shaft 111 which is pivotable in the bore 97 of the king pin 27 and which includes respective upper and lower axially spaced release pins 1 l3 and 115 extending respectively through the openings 99 and 101 into the respective bites of the hooked end portions 89 and 91 of the wrap spring 57. Thus, when the release shaft 111 is pivoted in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 2, the upper pin 113 serves to angularly displace the upper end of the wrap spring 57 in the clockwise direction so as to tighten the coils, and release engagement of the wrap spring coils with the upper king pi-n cup member 67 and with the swivel bracket sleeve 59, thereby permitting relative movement of the king pin 27 and propulsion unit 33 relative to the swivel bracket 17.

When the releasing shaft 111 is pivoted in the other rotative direction, i.e., in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 2, the lower pin 115 displaces the lower hooked end portion 91 of the wrap spring 57 to provide a similar action relieving the grip of the wrap spring 57 on the swivel bracket sleeve 59 and on the lower king pin cup member 69.

Upon release of the force which pivoted the releasing shaft 111, the wrap spring 57 will promptly expand to again lock the king pin 27 to the swivel bracket 17 and to pivot the releasing shaft 111 back to a normal position accompanying normal grip of the wrap spring 57 with the swivel bracket sleeve 59 and with the king pin cup members 67 and 69.

Means are provided for initially rotating the releasing shaft 111 to unlock the king pin 27 from the swivel bracket 27 in response to the application of an operator caused steering force to the steering arrangement. While various arrangements are possible, in the construction disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3, the releasing shaft 111 extends outwardly at the upper end of the king pin 27 and is pivotable to release the wrap spring 57 by a releasing bracket or arm 121 which is mounted for free pivotal movement relative to the dirigible unit on a reduced diameter end portion 123 of the releasing shaft 111 and about the king pin axis. Pivotal movement of the releasing bracket 121 to pivot the releasing shaft 111 is afforded by means which can take various forms and, in the disclosed construction, comprises a rearwardly extending lever 125 which extends from the projecting upper end of the releasing shaft 111 and which is connected to the rearwardly extending end 127 of the release bracket 121 by a pin 129 located at a radial distance rearwardly of the king pin axis. At its forward end 131, the release bracket includes means including one or more apertures 133 adapted for connection to a remote steering arrangement which can include such components as a push-pull cable or a steering rope. Of course, the releasing bracket 121 can also be adapted to manual operation.

Upon application of a steering force to the releasing bracket 121, the releasing bracket 121 will pivot relative to the dirigible unit about the king pin axis and, in so doing, will angularly displace the lever 125 to move the releasing shaft 111 and the pins 113 and to effect release of the grip of the wrap spring 57 with the swivel bracket sleeve 59.

Also in accordance with the invention, means are provided for connecting the releasing arm to the king pin 27 to effect propulsion unit steering movement after release of the releasable locking means in response to the application of a steering force to the releasing means. While various constructions can be employed, in the disclosed construction, the releasing bracket 121 overlies the steering arm 49 and cooperating means are provided on the releasing bracket 121 and on the steering arm 49 to afford a range of limited lost pivotal movement therebetween prior to effecting common pivotal movement. Thus, in the disclosed construction, the steering arm 49 includes a raised projection 141 in the path of pivotal movement and between a pair of spaced ears or tabs 143 which depend from the releasing bracket 121. Thus, in response to the application of an initial steering force, the releasing bracket 121 will initially pivotally move relative to the steering arm 49 and will thereby effect relative pivotal movement of the releasing shaft 1 1 1 relative to the king pin 27, whereby to release the wrap spring 57 from the swivel bracket sleeve 59. The continued application of a steering force to the releasing bracket 121, and the accompanying pivotal movement of the releasing bracket 121, will effect engagement between the projection 141 on the steering arm 49 and one of the ears or tabs 143, whereby, thereafter, common pivotal movement of the steering arm 49 with the releasing bracket 121 will occur (the wrap spring 57 being disengaged) to effect pivotal movement of the king pin 27 and connected propulsion unit 33 relative to the swivel bracket 17.

When the steering force applied to the releasing bracket 121 is discontinued, the wrap spring 57 will expand, thereby again locking the king pin 27 to the swivel bracket 17, and will tend to pivot the releasing shaft 111 into a position locating the releasing bracket 1 121 in centered position above the steering arm 49, so

as to afford, in response to the application of a steering force to the releasing bracket 121, an initial amount of lost angular movement therebetween during which the wrap spring 57 is disengaged prior to propulsion unit turning movement;

Shown in FIG. 5 is another steering arrangement for preventing steeringaction self-induced by a marine propulsion unit while permitting steering action in response to operation by a user. More specifically, the arrangement shown in FIG. 5 is adapted to be incorporated in an outboard motor 211 which is shown fragmentarily in FIG. 5, which is similar in appearance to the outboard motor 11 shown in FIG. 1, and which includes various components common to the outboard motor 11 shown in FIG. 1. Such common components include a transom or clamp bracket 213 which is adapted to be connected to the transom of a boat and a swivel bracket 217 which is connected to the transom bracket 213 about a horizontal axis to afford vertical swinging movement of the swivel bracket 217 relative to the transom bracket 213. As in the outboard motor 11, the swivel bracket 217 includes a bore 219 which extends perpendicularly to the horizontal axis and supports a pair of spaced bearings 221 and 223 which, in turn, support a dirigible unit comprising a king pin 227 and connected propulsion unit. More specifically, the king pin 227 is directly supported by the spaced bearings 221 and 223 and is conventionally connected, adjacent its upper and lower ends, by suitable upper and lower brackets 229 and 231 to the propulsion unit which includes a powerhead and a lower unit arranged in the same manner as described and illustrated in FIG. 1. As also with respect to the outboard motor 11 in FIG. 1, the propulsion unit powerhead includes an engine and associated components and the propulsion unit lower unit includes a drive shaft housing supporting the powerhead and has, at the lower end thereof, a gear box carrying a reversing transmission and a propeller. Vibration isolating amounts can be conventionally interposed between the king pin 227 and the connected propulsion unit. At its upper end, the dirigible unit includes a more or less conventional steering arm 249 which extends from the 'king pin 227 and which, when pivotally moved to port or starboard, causes pivotal movement of the dirigible unit relative to the swivel bracket. While the steering arm 249 extends from the king pin 227, it is also possible to mount the steering arm on some other part of the dirigible unit. Except for the steering arrangement still to be described, the outboard motor 211 is entirely conventional.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, releasable locking means engageable between the king pin 227 and the swivel bracket 217 for locking the king pin 227 and swivel bracket 217 relative to each other to thereby prevent relative pivotal movement between the dirigible unit and the swivel bracket 217 and, thus prevent self-induced steering operation by thepropulsion unit. Also in accordance with the invention, there is provided means for releasing the releasable locking means, thereby to afford steering action directly by the operator or by a remote steering actuator operated by the operator. Still further in accordance with the invention, there is provided means connecting the releasing means to the king pin 227 to effect propulsion unit steering movement after release of the releasable locking means in response to the application of a steering force initated by the user to the releasing means.

More particularly in accordance with the invention, the releasable locking means for preventing relative pivotal movement between the swivel bracket 217 and the dirigible unit comprises a roller-type clutch including a cylindrical surface 250 provided in the swivel bracket 217, as for instance by an insert bushing 252, together with a series of flats 254 provided on the king pin 227, and a series of pairs of rollers 256 and 258, which roller pairs are each respectively associated with one of said flats 254 and urged into the wedge-shaped spaces at each end of the respective flats 254 for locking engagement between the swivel bracket 217 and king pin 227 to releasably prevent rotational movement of the king pin 227 and connected dirigible unit relative to the swivel bracket 217 in both rotative directions.

Still more particularly, king pin 227 includes a portion 260 which is peripherally formed to include the series of flats 254 and which includes upper and lower flanges or shoulders 262 which confine the rollers 256 and 258 against axial displacement. The flats 254 need not be perfectly flat but can, when seen in horizontal cross section, be either outwardly wedge-shaped or outwardly convex so long as the flats 254 cooperate with the cylindrical surface 250 to form wedge-shaped spaces into which the rollers 256 and 258 are urged to lock the swivel bracket 217 and king pin 227 from relative rotary motion. While other constructions can be employed, in the disclosed construction, there are four flats 254, each flat 254 having associated therewith one pair of rollers 256 and 258 which are urged or biased outwardly away from each other toward the wedgeshaped spaces at the end of the flats 254 and between the flats and the cylindrical surface.

Various arrangements can be employed for biasing the rollers 256 and 258 into the wedge-shaped spaces at the ends of the flats 254. In the construction disclosed in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, a helical compression spring 264 is employed between the rollers 256 and 258 of each pair to bias the rollers 256 and 258 away from each other and into the wedge-shaped spaces. If desired, more than one spring can be employed to bias each pair of rollers away from each other and into the wedge-shaped spaces. For instance, two vertically spaced springs, one adjacent the top and one adjacent the bottom of the rollers, could be employed.

In addition, means can be employed for connecting the springs 264 to the rollers 256 and 258 to maintain the springs 264 and rollers 256 and 258 in proper relation-to each other. While various arrangements can be employed, in the construction disclosed in FIG. 6, wherein a single spring 264 is employed between each pair of rollers 256 and 258, the springs 264 can be provided, at each end, with respective hooks 266 which are respectively arranged around centrally located annular grooves 268 in each of the rollers 256 and 258 in each pair.

As already' indicated, the invention also provides means for releasing the releasable locking means. In the construction disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6, such means includes formation of the king pin 227 with a central bore 297 which is co-axial with the pivot axis of the king pin 227, together with a releasing shaft 311 which is pivotally located in the bore 297 and which includes radially extending pins 331 projecting through pieshaped slots 299 in the flatted portion 260 of the king pin 227 and into position between adjacent rollers 256 and 258 of adjacently located pairs of rollers. As there are four flats 254 in the construction disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6 and four pairs of rollers 256 and 258, there are also four pins 331.

As already indicated, the king pin slots 299, through which the pins 331 extend, are tapered in a horizontal plane with a radially outwardly increasing dimension so as to afford such relative rotary movement of the releasing shaft 31 1 relative to the king pin 227 which will be effective to displace either of the rollers 256 or 258 from the associated wedge-shaped spaces against the action of the springs 264.

Thus, when the releasing shaft 311 is pivoted in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 6, the pins 331 serve to displace the rollers 258 in the clockwise direction away from the wedge-shaped spaces thereby permitting movement of the king pin 227 in the clockwise direction relative to the swivel bracket 217. When the releasing shaft 311 is pivoted in the other rotative direction, i.e., in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 6, the pins 331 serve to displace the rollers 256 in the counterclockwise direction and permit movement of the king pin 227 relative to the swivel bracket 217 in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 6. Upon release of the force which pivoted the releasing shaft 311, the springs 264 will promptly again expand to again locate the rollers 256 and 258 in the wedge-shaped spaces between the flats 254 and the cylindrical surface 250 so as to releasably lock the king pin 227 against pivotal movement relative to the swivel bracket 217.

Means are provided for angularly pivoting the releasing shaft 311 relative to the king pin 227 so as to afford relative pivotal movement between the king pin 227 and swivel bracket 217 and so as to provide more rapid rotation or angular displacement of the releasing shaft 311 relative to the king pin 227 as compared to the angular movement or displacement of the means which rotates the releasing shaft 311. 7

While other constructions can be employed, in the construction disclosed in FIGS. through 7, the releasing shaft 311 extends outwardly at the upper end of the king pin 227 and is pivotable to release the engagement of the rollers 256 and 258 between the swivel bracket 217 and the king pin 227 by a releasing bracket or arm 321 which is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the king pin 227 and connected to the releasing shaft 311 so as to obtain pivotal movement of the releasing shaft 311 relative to the king pin 227 and so as to obtain proportionally greater angular displacement of the releasing shaft 311 relative to the king pin 227 as compared to the angular displacement of the releasing bracket 321 relative to the king pin 227. In this regard,

the releasing bracket 321 is mounted for pivotal movement on a stud or pin 280 extending upwardly from the steering arm 247 and is connected to the releasing shaft 311 to provide for angular movement of the releasing shaft 311 in response to angular movement of the releasing bracket 321 relative to the steering arm 247.

In accordance with the invention, such connection is made by means affording a greater amount of releasing shaft angular movement than the amount of releasing bracket angular movement employed to cause the releasing shaft angular movement. More particularly, in the construction disclosed in FIGS. 5 through 7, the releasing shaft 311 includes a first upper portion 323 of reduced diameter fixedly connected to a rearwardly extending lever 325 which, in turn, is connected to the rearwardly extending end 327 of the releasing bracket 321 by a pin or projection 329 which extends upwardly and fixedly from the lever 325 and into a radially extending slot 282 in the rearward end of the releasing bracket 321. Of course, the projection could extend from the releasing bracket 321 into a radially elongated slot in the lever 325.

Means are provided for connecting the releasing means to the king pin 227 so that, subsequent to initial pivotal movement of the releasing means relative to the king pin 227 to effect release of the releasable locking means, the continued application of steering force to the releasing means will cause steering movement of the dirigible unit. In this regard, in the construction shown in FIGS. 5 through 7, such means comprises a lost motion connection between the releasing bracket 321 and the dirigible unit including provision in the releasing bracket 321 of a transversely elongated slot 284 which receives a still further reduced upper end portion 286 of the releasing shaft 31 l and which serves to limit pivotal movement of the releasing bracket 321 relative to the king pin 227 and thereby cause the continued application of steering'force to the releasing bracket 321 to be applied through the steeringarm 247 to pivot the king pin 227 which is now free to pivot relative to the swivel bracket 217. It should be noted that because the releasing shaft 311 is co-axial with the king pin 227, the periphery of the further reduced upper end portion 286 of the releasing shaft 311 is fixed relative to the king pin 227 and can be considered an extension of the king pin 227.

The just disclosed means for angularly displacing the releasing shaft 311 to release the releasable locking means and the means for connecting the releasing means to the king pin 227 so as to afford steering movement of the dirigible unit after release of the releasable locking means can also be employed in the outboard motor 11 shown in FIG. 1.

While the construction shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 contemplates interengaging lost motion means between the releasing bracket 321 and the king pin 227, in accordance with the invention, the pie-shaped slots 299 in the king pin 227 can be dimensioned such that the pins or studs 331 engage the sides of the slots 299 after displacement of the rollers from the wedge-shaped spaces so as to directly transmit steering force applied to the releasing bracket 321 through the releasing shaft 311 and through the pins 331 to the king pin 227 to obtain steering movement.

Shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, is another roller arrangement for releasably locking the king pin 227 to the cylindrical surface 250 of the swivel bracket 217. As in the construction shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the construction shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the king pin 227 includes a flatted portion 260 having a plurality of flats 254, four in particularly disclosed construction. As also in the construction shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, two rollers 256 and 258 are associated with each flat 254, together with means for biasing the rollers 256 and 258 into the wedge-shaped spaces which arev formed at the ends of the flats 254 between the flats 254 and the cylindrical surface 250 of the swivel bracket 217.

In the construction shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, each of the rollers 256 and 258 is provided, at each end, with an annular groove 290and the adjacent rollers 256 and 258 of adjacent roller pairs are biased toward one another and into the adjacent wedge-shaped spaces by a pair of tension springs 292 having, at their opposite ends, hooks 294 which are engaged with the annular grooves 290 at the upper and lower ends of the rollers 256 and 258.

As also in the construction shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the releasing shaft 311 includes a series of pins33l (four in the construction disclosed in FIGS. 8 and 9), which pins 331 extend through pie-shaped slots 299 in the king pin 227 at the juncture between adjacent flats 254 and into positions between adjacent rollers 256 and 258 of adjacent roller pairs so as to urge the rollers 256 and 258 out of locking engagement between the king pin 227 and swivel bracket 217 against the action of the springs 292 in response to rotation of the releasing shaft 311.

The constructions shown in FIGS. through 9 operate in the same manner. When the releasing bracket 321 is rotated in one direction, the pins 331 initially operate to move the rollers 256 or 258 out of the adjacent wedge-shaped spaces. Thereafter, the lost motion connection between the releasing bracket 32] and the dirigible unit (i.e., either the steering arm or king pin) is engageable to rotate the king pin 227 in response to continued rotation of the releasing bracket 321. When rotation of the releasing bracket 321 is discontinued, the springs 264 or 292 serve to return the rollers 256 and 258 to the wedge-shaped spaces in engaging relation to the king pin 227 and the swivel bracket 217 to prevent unwanted king pin 227 and dirigible unit movement relative to the swivel bracket 217.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A marine propulsion device comprising a swivel bracket having a bore therein, a dirigible unit comprising a king pin pivotally received in said bore and a propulsion unit connected to said king pin above and below said bore, means connected to said dirigible unit for pivoting said dirigible unit relative to said swivel bracket, releasable locking means engaged between said king pin and said swivel bracket for locking said king pin and swivel bracket relative to each other to prevent relative pivotal movement between said king pin and said swivel bracket, and including a flat on one of said king pin and said swivel bracket bore, a cylindrical surface on the other of said king pin and said swivel bracket bore, and a roller extending with the axis thereof parallel to the axis of said king pin and movable relative to a position of releasable locking engagement between said king pin and said swivel bracket in the wedge-shaped space between said flat and said cylindrical surface, and means for releasing said releasable locking means.

2. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said releasable locking means further includes means biasing said roller into said position of releasable locking engagement.

3. A marine propulsion device comprising a swivel bracket having a bore therein, a dirigible unit comprising a king pin pivotally received in said bore and a propulsion unit connected to said king pin, releasable locking means engaged between said king pin and said swivel bracket for locking said king pin and swivel bracket relative to each other to prevent relative pivotal movement between said king pin and said swivel bracket, and including a series of flats on said king pin, a cylindrical surface on said swivel bracket bore, a pair of rollers associated with each of said flats and respectively movable relative to positions of releasable locking engagement between said king pin and said swivel bracket in the respective wedge-shaped spaces located at the ends of said flats, and means for releasing said releasable locking means.

4. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 3 and wherein said biasing means includes springs biasing said rollers in said pairs away from each other and into said positions of locking engagement.

5. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said biasing means comprises springs biasing adjacent ones of said rollers in adjacently locked pairs of rollers toward one another and into said positions of locking engagement.

6. A marine propulsion device comprising a swivel bracket having a bore therein, a dirigible unit comprising a king pin pivotally received insaid bore and a propulsion unit connected to said king pin, releasable locking means engaged between said king pin and said swivel bracket for locking said king pin and swivel bracket relative to each other to prevent relative pivotal movement between said king pin and said swivel bracket, and means for releasing said releasable locking means including a releasing shaft mounted in said king pin for pivotal movement co-axial with said king pin and means on said releasing shaft cooperating with said releasable locking means for releasing said locking means to afford relative pivotal movement between said king pin and said swivel bracket.

7. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 6 including a releasing bracket, means mounting said releasing bracket for pivotal movement relative to said dirigible unit, and means connecting said releasing bracket and said releasing shaft to provide for pivoting said releasing shaft in response to pivoting of saidreleasing bracket.

8. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said means connecting said releasing bracket and said releasing shaft includes means affording proportionally increased angular movement of said releasing shaft in response to angular movement of said releasing bracket.

9. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said dirigible unit includes a steering arm extending from said king pin, wherein said releasing bracket is pivotally mounted on said steering arm remote from the axis of said king pin, wherein said releasing shaft has fixed thereto a releasing lever extending in the opposite direction from said steering arm, wherein said means connecting said releasing bracket and said releasing shaft includes a slot extending radially of said king pin axis in one of said releasing bracket and said releasing lever and a projection extending from the other of said releasing bracket and said releasing lever and extending into said slot, and wherein said releasing shaft includes a projecting end portion and said releasing bracket includes a second, transversely elongated slot receiving said projecting end portion of said releasing shaft, whereby in response to initial pivotal movement of said releasing bracket, said releasing shaft is pivoted until said projecting end portion engages said second slot in said releasing bracket, whereafter said king pin is pivoted relative to said swivel bracket upon continued pivotal movement of said releasing bracket.

10. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means on said shaft includes a pin extending radially from said releasing shaft.

11. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 8 wherein said releasing means includes a shaft rotatably mounted in said king pin for pivotal movement co-axially with said king pin and wherein said means connecting said releasing means to said king pin includes interengaging means on said king pin and on said releasing shaft affording a range of angular lost motion between said releasing shaft and said king pin followed by common pivotal movement of said releasing shaft and said king pin.

12. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 11 wherein said interengaging means comprise a slot in said king pin, said slot having angularly spaced 13 radially extending sides, and a stud extending from said releasing shaft into said slot so as to afford angular movement relative to said king pin of the stud between said slot sides.

13. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 6 and further including means connecting said releasing means to said king pin to apply force from said releasing means to said king pin to effect dirigible unit movement about the axis of said king pin and after release of said releasable locking means and in response to the application of a steering force to said releasing means.

14. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 13 including a steering arm extending from said dirigible unit and wherein said releasing means includes a releasing bracket mounted for pivotal movement coaxial with said king pin and cooperating interengaging means on said releasing means and said steering arm cooperating to provide, in response to pivotal movement of said releasing bracket, a range of angular lost motion between said releasing bracket and said steering arm followed by common pivotal movement of said releasing bracket and said steering arm whereby to effeet pivoting of said dirigible unit relative to said swivel bracket in response to a force applied to said releasing bracket.

15. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 13 and including a steering ann extending from said dirigible unit and wherein said releasing means in- 1 cludes a releasing bracket mounted for pivotal movement on said steering arm and interengaging cooperating means on said releasing bracket and said dirigible unit cooperating to provide, in response to pivotal movement of said releasing bracket, a range of angular lost motion between said releasing bracket and said dirigible unit followed by common pivotal movement of said releasing bracket and said dirigible unit, whereby to effect pivoting of said dirigible unit relative to said swivel bracket in response to a force applied to said releasing bracket.

16. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 15 wherein said cooperating interengaging means includes a portion extending from said releasing shaft and an elongated slot in said releasing bracket receiving said releasing shaft portion.

@2233? I v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 3,774,571 Dated November 27 1973 lnv'entofls') William J. Shimanckas It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 65 delete "upon", insert while- Column 2,- line 66 delete "up", insert. ----upon- Column 3, line 24 o delete '3", insert 2---- Column 6, line '4 I i delete "to", insert ---for--- Column 6, line 13 M delete -'-'arm" insert -'means--- Column ll, line 6O delete "3'', insert"- 17 a Column ll, line 64 delete "3", insert l7 Q ADD the following Claim l7 17 A marine propulsion device in accordance with Claim 3 wherein said releasable locking means further includes 1 means biasing said rollers into said positions of releasable locking engagement.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of October 1974',

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY Ml GIBSON JR. cfMARsHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A marine propulsion device comprising a swivel bracket having a bore therein, a dirigible unit comprising a king pin pivotally received in said bore and a propulsion unit connected to said king pin above and below said bore, means connected to said dirigible unit for pivoting said dirigible unit relative to said swivel bracket, releasable locking means engaged between said king pin and said swivel bracket for locking said king pin and swivel bracket relative to each other to prevent relative pivotal movement between said king pin and said swivel bracket, and including a flat on one of said king pin and said swivel bracket bore, a cylindrical surface on the other of said king pin and said swivel bracket bore, and a roller extending with the axis thereof parallel to the axis of said king pin and movable relative to a position of releasable locking engagement between said king pin and said swivel bracket in the wedge-shaped space between said flat and said cylindrical surface, and means for releasing said releasable locking means.
 2. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said releasable locking means further includes means biasing said roller into said position of releasable locking engagement.
 3. A marine propulsion device comprising a swivel bracket having a bore therein, a dirigible unit comprising a king pin pivotally received in said bore and a propulsion unit connected to said king pin, releasable locking means engaged between said king pin and said swivel bracket for locking said king pin and swivel bracket relative to each other to prevent relative pivotal movement between said king pin and said swivel bracket, and including a series of flats on said king pin, a cylindrical surface on said swivel bracket bore, a pair of rollers associated with each of said flats and respectively movable relative to positions of releasable locking engagement between said king pin and said swivel bracket in the respective wedge-shaped spaces located at the ends of said flats, and means for releasing said releasable locking means.
 4. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 3 and wherein said biasing means includes springs biasing said rollers in said pairs away from each other and into said positions of locking engagement.
 5. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said biasing means comprises springs biasing adjacent ones of said rollers in adjacently locked pairs of rollers toward one another and into said positions of locking engagement.
 6. A marine propulsion device comprising a swivel bracket having a bore therein, a dirigible unit comprising a king pin pivotally received in said bore and a propulsion unit connected to said king pin, releasable locking means engaged between said king pin and said swivel bracket for locking said king pin and swivel bracket relative to each other to prevent relative pivotal movement between said king pin and said swivel bracket, and means for releasing said releasable locking means including a releasing shaft mounted in said king pin for pivotal movement co-axial with said king pin and means on said releasing shaft cooperAting with said releasable locking means for releasing said locking means to afford relative pivotal movement between said king pin and said swivel bracket.
 7. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 6 including a releasing bracket, means mounting said releasing bracket for pivotal movement relative to said dirigible unit, and means connecting said releasing bracket and said releasing shaft to provide for pivoting said releasing shaft in response to pivoting of said releasing bracket.
 8. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said means connecting said releasing bracket and said releasing shaft includes means affording proportionally increased angular movement of said releasing shaft in response to angular movement of said releasing bracket.
 9. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said dirigible unit includes a steering arm extending from said king pin, wherein said releasing bracket is pivotally mounted on said steering arm remote from the axis of said king pin, wherein said releasing shaft has fixed thereto a releasing lever extending in the opposite direction from said steering arm, wherein said means connecting said releasing bracket and said releasing shaft includes a slot extending radially of said king pin axis in one of said releasing bracket and said releasing lever and a projection extending from the other of said releasing bracket and said releasing lever and extending into said slot, and wherein said releasing shaft includes a projecting end portion and said releasing bracket includes a second, transversely elongated slot receiving said projecting end portion of said releasing shaft, whereby in response to initial pivotal movement of said releasing bracket, said releasing shaft is pivoted until said projecting end portion engages said second slot in said releasing bracket, whereafter said king pin is pivoted relative to said swivel bracket upon continued pivotal movement of said releasing bracket.
 10. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means on said shaft includes a pin extending radially from said releasing shaft.
 11. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 8 wherein said releasing means includes a shaft rotatably mounted in said king pin for pivotal movement co-axially with said king pin and wherein said means connecting said releasing means to said king pin includes interengaging means on said king pin and on said releasing shaft affording a range of angular lost motion between said releasing shaft and said king pin followed by common pivotal movement of said releasing shaft and said king pin.
 12. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 11 wherein said interengaging means comprise a slot in said king pin, said slot having angularly spaced radially extending sides, and a stud extending from said releasing shaft into said slot so as to afford angular movement relative to said king pin of the stud between said slot sides.
 13. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 6 and further including means connecting said releasing means to said king pin to apply force from said releasing means to said king pin to effect dirigible unit movement about the axis of said king pin and after release of said releasable locking means and in response to the application of a steering force to said releasing means.
 14. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 13 including a steering arm extending from said dirigible unit and wherein said releasing means includes a releasing bracket mounted for pivotal movement co-axial with said king pin and cooperating interengaging means on said releasing means and said steering arm cooperating to provide, in response to pivotal movement of said releasing bracket, a range of angular lost motion between said releasing bracket and said steering arm followed by common pivotal movement of said releasing bracket and said steering arm whereby to effect pivoting of said dirigible unit relative to Said swivel bracket in response to a force applied to said releasing bracket.
 15. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 13 and including a steering arm extending from said dirigible unit and wherein said releasing means includes a releasing bracket mounted for pivotal movement on said steering arm and interengaging cooperating means on said releasing bracket and said dirigible unit cooperating to provide, in response to pivotal movement of said releasing bracket, a range of angular lost motion between said releasing bracket and said dirigible unit followed by common pivotal movement of said releasing bracket and said dirigible unit, whereby to effect pivoting of said dirigible unit relative to said swivel bracket in response to a force applied to said releasing bracket.
 16. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 15 wherein said cooperating interengaging means includes a portion extending from said releasing shaft and an elongated slot in said releasing bracket receiving said releasing shaft portion. 